Ron Asheton, left, with Iggy Pop, centre, and brother Scott Asheton of the Stooges. Ron Asheton was found dead in his home on Tuesday. (Virgin Records/Associated Press)

Ron Asheton, a lead guitarist and later a bassist with Iggy Pop's punk band the Stooges, was found dead Tuesday at age 60 in his home in Ann Arbour, Mich.

Police Sgt. Brad Hill said officers were called to Asheton's home around midnight by the musician's personal assistant, who had been unable to reach him.

Asheton was found dead on a couch and had apparently been dead for several days, Hill said. Foul play is not suspected.

Asheton was one of the four founding members of the Stooges — with his brother, drummer Scott Asheton, bassist Dave Alexander and singer Iggy Pop.

The band, which lasted from 1967 through 1974, was enormously influential in alternative and punk rock circles, in part because of its manic live performances.

Paved the way

Brian Cogan, a punk-music historian at Molloy College on New York's Long Island, credits Asheton with creating a template for punk-rock guitar that paved the way for the Ramones and the Dictators.

His powerful, distorted guitar is a distinctive hallmark of songs such as I Wanna Be Your Dog and T.V. Eye.

"As a musician Ron was the Guitar God, an idol to follow and inspire others ," the remaining members of the Stooges said in a written statement Tuesday. "That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him.

"For all that knew him behind the facade of Mr. Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not," the band said.

Iggy Pop remembered Asheton as "my best friend."

The group's debut album, The Stooges, was released in 1968, followed by Fun House in 1970.

Ron Asheton switched to playing bass on the third album, Raw Power, and James Williamson joined the band as guitarist.

The group disbanded in 1974, at a time when all band members but Asheton were using heroin. The band reunited in 2003 and played several festivals over the following three years.

After the breakup, Asheton played with Destroy All Monsters, New Order and New Race.

The Stooges have been nominated six times for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but have yet to receive enough votes to be inducted.

With files from the Associated Press